Abstract: Embodiments herein include devices and methods directed toward creating reverse flow within a vessel and thereby providing protection against embolic debris. Embodiments comprise a catheter and a plurality of occluders that are expandable and adjustable within a lumen to create low-pressure areas that reroute blood flow and embolic debris therein.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses for use in negative pressure wound therapy are described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a pump assembly having a pump housing, a magnet, an electrically conductive coil, and a diaphragm, wherein the electrically conductive coil is configured to move a portion of the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump apparatus, and a dampener positioned within the pump assembly configured to reduce sound generated by the pump assembly during operation of the pump assembly. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a first section and a second section, and an illumination source disposed within the housing adjacent the first section, wherein the illumination source is configured to illuminate the first section, wherein the first section is one of transparent and translucent, and wherein the first section is thinner than the second section as measured perpendicularly from inside to outside the housing.

Abstract: A urinary catheter set includes a urine collection bag formed into an outer packaging for the urinary catheter set, and a urinary catheter positioned inside of the urine collection bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of human urinary incontinence may include a flexible tube, a retainer member for the tube, and a valve in the tube which automatically opens in response to a predetermined pressure level in the bladder acting upon the valve.

Abstract: Dual vial adapter assemblage for use with a drug vial and a liquid vial and including a vented drug vial adapter and a vented liquid vial adapter such that simultaneous venting of the liquid vial and the drug vial assists gravitational flow of liquid contents from the liquid vial into the drug vial for forming liquid drug therein.

Abstract: A device that is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the digestive tract of a human is disclosed. The device may be placed through a method such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The device includes a gastrostomy style structure that provides fluid communication with the external environment of the patient with the internal contents of the stomach. The device is produced with a series of slotted collection channels that preferentially, when connected to a source of negative relative pressure, directs a significant volume of the high calorie fluidic components of the chyme out of the digestive tract, preventing exposure to the absorptive tissues of the digestive tract when simple sugars and carbohydrates are consumed.

Abstract: A urinary catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft, a drainage funnel associated with the distal end of the catheter shaft, and a gripping member. The distal end of the gripping member is fixedly secured to the drainage funnel, while an extendable portion of the gripping member allows its proximal end to be moved along the length of the catheter shaft toward and away from the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The extendable portion of the gripping member encircles at least a portion of the catheter shaft when the proximal end of the gripping member is moved toward the proximal end of the catheter shaft, thereby allowing for the gripping member to be used to manipulate the catheter shaft without directly touching the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating urine output from the kidney, including: (a) inserting a catheter including: a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including a funnel support including at least one sidewall, wherein the funnel support includes a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second diameter being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first diameter, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of openings; and (b) applying negative pressure to the proximal portion of the drainage lumen for a period of time to facilitate urine output from the kidney.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for facilitating formation of a stoma includes a guide having an outer flange segment arranged about a central longitudinal axis and an insert segment. The flange segment is configured for engaging end margins of a body vessel extending through an opening in skin of a subject, and defines a plurality of apertures. The insert segment extends from the outer flange segment along the longitudinal axis. The insert segment is configured for at least partial positioning within the body vessel to maintain the patency of the body vessel. The guide apparatus further includes a plurality of fasteners for insertion within respective apertures of the flange segment of the guide. The fasteners are configured for penetrating the end margins of the body vessel extending through the opening in the skin to attach the end margins to the skin to thereby create a stoma.

Abstract: A retention cuff is disclosed for retaining a fluid collection device or system in an orifice of a patient. The retention cuff has a body has a central opening and an inflationless cuff wall that includes an annular cuff wall and one or more side elements. The retention cuff is non-inflatable and has a self-deployed state or shape. The retention cuff can be coupled to a fecal collection device such that the central opening is in flow communication with a collection tube of the device and with the body of the retention device.

Abstract: A formed film includes a first surface generally located in a first plane, a second surface generally located in a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane, and a third surface generally located in a third plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane and the second plane, in between the first plane and the second plane. A porous structure extends between the second surface and the third surface. A plurality of raised areas have sidewalls that extend between the first surface and the third surface, and top portions that define the first surface. The plurality of sidewalls, the porous structure, and the first plane define a plurality of gathering volumes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: A urinary catheter assembly having a sleeve is provided. The urinary catheter assembly comprises a urinary catheter (2) having a hydrophilic surface; the urinary catheter being provided with an insertion tip (5) in a proximal insertion end of the urinary catheter and an outlet (4) at a distal end of the urinary catheter, a handle (8) being slidingly disposed on the urinary catheter, a collapsible, flexible sleeve (7) attached to the handle and being configured to cover the urinary catheter from the outlet to the tip portion in an extended configuration of the urinary catheter assembly, the sleeve being attached to a connector (9) at the outlet, the connector and handle configured to be detachably attached to each other and define a cavity provided by the sleeve, handle and connector encapsulating an entirety of the urinary catheter in a storage condition.

Abstract: A sterile dual-purpose closed intermittent urinary catheter system that may be used as either a drain line or a collection bag. A catheter resides within an inner cavity of an extensible sheath and may be extracted from a forward end through an outlet hub for insertion into the urethra. A valve at a rearward end of the sheath may be opened to permit the sheath to function as a drain line, or closed to permit the sheath to function as a collection bag. The sheath has an extended length substantially longer than the catheter length, and may be compressed in an accordion fashion or folded to a compact packaged shape. The urine may be collected in the sheath with the valve closed, or drained straight into a toilet with the valve open. The system may have a source of lubrication to wet the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for preventing or curing pressure ulcers or chronic wounds. A multilayer dressing comprises a soft silicone jell layer of a suitable thickness which is placed in the multilayer dressing, above an absorbent layer. The matrix of the silicone jell layer is populated with a plurality of silicone beads of suitable size. The beads are connected to each other, and to the silicone jell layer. Breathing of wound and substantial supply of oxygen to the wound is duly insured for all layers of the multiple layer dressing. The beads play a pivotal role in promoting the effectiveness and performance of the multilayer dressing by acting as the plurality of effective cushions, as they absorb and uniformly redistribute a patient's body weight across the entire applied dressing area. The low adhering adhesive coating of about 5 mm in width is applied to the peripheral edges of all the layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for separating a cellular component from a multicomponent fluid. The device can include a body, a first acoustic wave generator, and a second acoustic wave propagating component. The body can define a channel having a first surface, an opposing second surface, a first side, and an opposing second side. The channel can extend along a longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposing second end. The first acoustic wave generator can be coupled to the first surface. The second acoustic wave propagating component can be coupled to the second surface. The first acoustic wave generator and second acoustic wave propagating component can be configured to generate a bulk standing acoustic wave in the channel.